Fatal Identity (4 page)

“What do I do in the meantime?”

“We're going to put you in a hotel with police protection until we know what we're dealing with.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“If I didn't think it was, I'd never ask you to do it.” Sam chose her words wisely. “If this turns out to be true, you're sitting on a powder keg because of who raised you. If he was complicit in this, it'll be the biggest BFD in the history of BFDs. You got me?”

“Yeah.” Arms on knees, he dropped his head and sighed. When he looked up at her, she saw his anguish. “You don't really think he'd harm me or anything, do you?”

“If you'd asked me this morning if Director Hamilton had possibly raised a child kidnapped from another family, I would've said no way. And I remain ninety-nine percent skeptical that'll turn out to be true. But if the one percent pans out...I have no idea what'll happen, and I want to ensure your safety.”

He ran his fingers through his hair repeatedly.

“The choice is definitely yours, Josh. If you don't want to be under police protection, you don't have to be. But if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't take any chances, especially since it's only a matter of time before that photo goes viral.”

“You really think that'll happen?”

“People are always interested in missing kids.”

“I wish I hadn't seen it.”

Sam leaned in to put her hand on his arm. “If it turns out to be true, will you still feel that way?”

“I don't know how to feel about any of this. Before I saw that picture, it never occurred to me that something like this was even possible. Now... Well, now I'm wondering if my whole life has been a lie. Did they just pretend to care about me when they were lying to me the whole time?”

“You'll know soon enough, and until then, I recommend you let us keep you safe.”

“You and who else?”

“My partner, Detective Freddie Cruz. I trust him implicitly. You'll be in very good hands with him, and as soon as we have the DNA results, we'll get you some answers.”

“Fine. Okay. I'll go with your partner.”

“I think that's the wisest choice, especially since this place is overrun with the flu.”

“And you'll let me know what's going on?”

“I'll be in touch with you the second we have anything concrete. I promise.”

With his face set in a grim expression, he nodded, seeming pacified for now. Sam entered his phone number into her contacts and gave him her number in case he needed her for anything. Freddie arrived a short time later, and Sam introduced him to Josh.

Josh shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. I guess we're going to be roommates for the next few days.”

“Looks that way,” Freddie said. “You like the Skins?”

“Of course I do. Born and raised right here in D.C.”

“It's Cowboys weekend, so at least we have something fun to watch.”

“I'll spring for the beer.” Sam handed her credit card to Freddie. “Put the room on that too.”

“Your personal card? Will they let me do that?”

“Have them call me if you need to.”

“I could use my department card.”

She shook her head. “I'm keeping this separate for the time being. I'll work out the expense side of it later.”

“You're the boss.”

“Not right now, I'm not. Check in with me later.”

“Will do.”

CHAPTER FOUR

A
FTER
THEY
LEFT
, Sam went upstairs to look in on Scotty and Nick. They were both sleeping soundly, so she went downstairs to get something to eat while she could. Shelby had left a big salad and a pot of meatballs on the stove, so Sam had some of both along with a glass of water when she'd much rather have had a diet cola.

While she ate, she picked over the details of the case Josh had dropped into her lap. Though she probably should've
technically
declined to help him in light of her suspension, there were no rules she knew of that dictated personal favors outside of work. And technically, it wasn't even an actual case, so she wasn't violating the terms of her suspension.

Calling Lindsey might've crossed the line, but Lindsey's connections with the lab would ensure a speedier turnaround than they would've gotten from an outside doctor. With the possibility of Director Hamilton's involvement or culpability, she needed to do things by the book. At some point, the chain of custody on the DNA might matter, and who would care then that Sam had technically been suspended when she requested the swab?

You're justifying yourself
,
baby girl
. Sam smiled at the sound of Skip Holland's voice in her head. Thinking of him made her want to talk to him, so she called down the street to see what he was up to.

“Hi, honey,” her stepmother said. “How're you?”

“We've been struck by the flu over here. First Nick, then Scotty.”

“Oh no, are they okay?”

“They're asleep for the moment, but they've both thrown up.”

“Poor guys. I'll make some soup for when they feel up to eating again.”

“I'm sure they'd appreciate that it came from you rather than me.”

Celia laughed. “Probably.”

“Is Dad up for a chat?”

“He sure is. Let me get him for you.”

“What happened at the hearing?” Skip asked.

“Hello to you too.”

“Spill it.”

Sam smiled at his sauciness. She expected nothing less from him. “Suspended for four days and a thousand-dollar donation to the widows and kids.”

“That ain't bad, all things considered.”

“I guess. I hear Forrester is considering assault charges, but I'm not worrying about that until it happens.”

“You should worry. He's got a valid case, and you know it.”

“Maybe so, but I'd do it again. And don't tell me I'm better than him and should've risen above it. I heard you the other ninety times you've said that.”

“It's true.”

“I've got bigger fish to fry with both my guys down with the flu.”

“Aw, crap, that's too bad. Wish I could come help you take care of them.”

“You're far better off over there away from the germ pit. I sent Shelby home to get her out of here.”

“Probably for the best in her condition.”

“So I caught an interesting new case today. Or a potential case.”

“How's that possible when you're suspended?”

Sam filled him in on Josh Hamilton's story and his connection to Director Hamilton.

Skip's low whistle came through the phone loud and clear. “Are you
shitting
me?”

“Would I shit you, Skippy?”

“
Holy...
Sam, you gotta be
so
careful here—you know that, right?”

“Yes, Dad, I know that.”

“What's your plan?”

“First step was getting the DNA. Next I'm going to call Williamson County and give them a heads-up that we have a guy who closely resembles the composite. We'll go from there.”

“God, those poor people. Thirty years wondering where their kid is.”

“I know. It's unimaginable. You think it's possible Director Hamilton could've been part of something like this?”

“Shit, I don't know. I only know what I've read about him, but he has a good reputation in law enforcement circles, as you know.”

“Yeah, Avery thinks the world of him.”

“I can't even begin to get my head around the implications of what this guy is saying.”

“Neither can I. But the picture... The resemblance is uncanny.”

“There's a whole lot of speculation involved in the production of those age-progression photos. Just remember that.”

“I'm operating on the presumption that Josh Hamilton is not Taylor Rollings until I have proof otherwise.”

“Good plan, but you also need a plan for what you're going to do if he
is
Taylor Rollings.”

“What would you do with that info?”

“I'd go directly to Farnsworth. Don't pass Go, don't collect two hundred dollars. Don't do
anything
but go right to him.”

“Right. I agree. That's what I'll do.”

“This might be the craziest thing I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot of crazy shit in my life.”

“I know—me too. Well, I'd better go make that call to Tennessee.”

“Keep me posted, baby girl, and be careful not to get yourself into another pot of hot water with the department over this.”

“I do so love a good hot bath.”

“Sam.”

“Yes, sir. I hear you. I'll be careful.”

“Let me know how Nick and Scotty are later.”

“You got it. See ya, Skippy.”

“Bye, baby.”

Before she made the phone call to Tennessee, Sam went upstairs to look in on Scotty, resting her hand on his forehead, which was still burning hot.

He opened his eyes. “Hey.”

“How're you feeling, honey?”

His eyes went wide all of a sudden, and Sam wondered if he was going to be sick again. “What is it?”

“I, um, that's what my mom—my first mom—used to call me.”

“Oh, sorry. I shouldn't have—”

“No, it's fine.” He forced a weak smile. “I like it.”

Her heart had never actually
ached
with love the way it regularly did for this sweet boy. She returned his smile and brushed the hair back from his forehead. “You need anything?”

“Some water maybe.”

“I'll be right back.” She went downstairs and brought two glasses of ice water back up. Leaving Nick's on Scotty's bedside table, she helped her son sit up and take some sips.

“Was Harry here, or did I dream that?”

“He was here, and he said that despite how bad you feel, you're going to live.”

“That's good.”

Sam kissed his feverish cheek. “That's very good.”

“How's Dad?”

“Out cold the last time I checked.”

“I hope he's okay.”

“He'll be fine, and so will you.”

His eyes went wide all of a sudden. “TJ's party! It's
tomorrow
night. I have to go!
Everyone
is going.”

Sam hated to disappoint him, especially after all the hoops they'd had to jump through with the Secret Service to make it possible for him to attend. “Let's see what tomorrow brings before we decide anything. You wouldn't want your friends to get sick if you go out too soon, would you?”

“No, but...” His chin quivered ever so slightly. “I
really
want to go.”

“I know. Maybe you'll feel a thousand times better by tomorrow.”

“I hope so.”

“Me too. Now get some sleep, and call me if you need anything. I'll be close by.”

“Okay, thanks.”

Sam leaned over to kiss his cheek again before tucking the comforter in around his shoulders.

“You're a good mom,” he said so softly she almost missed it.

Her heart skipped a beat. “Really?”

“Mmm-hmm. The best.”

“You make it easy for me.”

His eyes were closed, but his lips curved into a smile.

Taking the other glass of water with her, Sam left his door propped open so she could hear him if he called for her. She went into her room where Nick was exactly where she'd left him—curled up on his left side sound asleep. Other than their honeymoon, when they'd done nothing but eat, drink, sleep and have sex, she'd rarely seen him asleep at this hour of the day. It was unsettling to see her unstoppable husband felled by anything, let alone something as pedestrian as the flu.

At times, she'd wondered if he had superpowers that he kept secret from her. How else to explain the way he managed to get so much done while also taking excellent care of her and Scotty? Sam kissed his cheek, and even though she knew she shouldn't, she kissed his lips too.

“Mmm, not tonight, babe.”

Sam laughed out loud.

His eyes popped open.

“I think that's the first time you've ever said no to me.”

Clearing his throat, he said, “I take it back. I never say no to you.”

“You're allowed to today. How you doing?”

“Never better.”

“Now you're lying to me?”

“Don't want you to worry.”

“Too late for that.”

“How's the boy?”

“Worried about TJ's party.”

Nick winced. “Ahh, crap. That's tomorrow, right?”

“Yep.”

“What are the odds that we're going to be free of this plague by then?”

“Slim to none.”

“He'll be so disappointed.”

“We'll make it up to him—somehow.”

“I've got to go make a call, and then I'll come back and tell you a story you won't believe.”

“'K.” His eyes were already closed, his breathing heavier, his muscles relaxing as he drifted back to sleep.

Sam went into the bedroom they now used as an office, since the Secret Service had commandeered their downstairs study. She fired up Nick's computer, then knocked a few of his rigidly organized files out of alignment, smiling at the thought of him discovering her handiwork when he felt better. She did a search for Williamson County law enforcement, clicking on the link to the Franklin, Tennessee police department.

The age-progression photo Josh had seen online and a paragraph about the photo being released on the thirtieth anniversary of Taylor's kidnapping appeared on the department's home page. The write-up ended with the phone number to call with information about the case.

Sam felt unusually nervous as she placed the call. Rarely did her work cause jitters, but everything about this situation was odd—from Josh happening upon the photo on a random website to the way he'd singled her out to investigate. And then there was his connection to Director Hamilton.

“Franklin Police.”

“I'd like to speak to the detective in charge of the Taylor Rollings case, please.”

“Who's calling?”

“Lieutenant Holland, Metro PD in Washington, D.C.”

Dead silence.

“As in the
vice president's wife
?”

“As in Lieutenant Holland, Metro PD.”

“Ah, I got it. So you don't play the VP card, huh?”

This guy was lucky Sam wasn't his boss, or his ass would be grass and she'd be the lawn mower. “Could I please speak to the detective?”

“You sure can. Just hang on one second. And may I say it was an honor to speak to you?”

Since her head was about to explode with aggravation, she decided it would be wise to remain silent. The phone clicked to hold music that was even more annoying than the MPD's, and that was saying something.

“Detective Watson.”

“This is Lieutenant Holland, Metro PD in Washington, D.C. Are you the detective in charge of the Taylor Rollings case?”

“I am.”

“I may have something for you.”

After a long pause, he said, “Define
something
.”

“A possible match for the age-progression photo you circulated. I've had someone make contact who believes it's possible he may be the person you're looking for.”

“Can you send me a picture?”

“Not yet. We've taken a DNA swab and will have a report for you in the next few days. If there's a match, we'll proceed from there. You'll understand that he's not interested in raising the hopes of the Rollings family without definitive proof.”

“I do understand, and that's the last thing I want either, believe me. I appreciate the call and the heads-up. Is there anything else you can tell me about him?”

“Just one thing—his thirtieth birthday is next week, so the timing lines up. But if the DNA doesn't match, there'll be no point in discussing it any further.”

“I'll be waiting to hear from you.” He shared his email address and cell phone number. “If you'd give me a call when you send it, I'd appreciate it.”

“I'll do that. Could I ask if there've been any other leads resulting from the photo?”

“Lots of calls, but nothing that's panned out. We're following up on everything the way we always do when this case gets new attention, usually around the anniversary of the abduction.” He sounded exhausted and frustrated, which gave him tons of credibility with Sam. Most detectives she knew spent a vast majority of their careers exhausted or frustrated, often both.

“How long have you been on the case?”

“Fifteen years. The original detective literally worked himself into an early grave looking for Taylor. His wife left him, his kids stopped speaking to him and he turned to the bottle for comfort.”

Sam felt for a guy she'd never met. Sometimes the job took everything you had to give and then asked for more. “And the parents...”

“Toughest people you'll ever meet. True salt-of-the-earth types. I don't know how they do it, but they never give up hope. They speak of Taylor in the present tense. Micki says that until she has proof to the contrary, she believes her son is alive.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, they amaze me and everyone else who knows them.”